Installation for cleaning a ballast bed

ABSTRACT

An installation for cleaning a ballast bed contains a first machine frame and a second machine frame coupled to the former, each being equipped with two vertically adjustable crawler tracks and two on-track undercarriages. A receiving unit of a clearing chain for picking up ballast is disposed between the crawler tracks of the first machine frame. A ballast discharge device is arranged between the two crawler tracks of the second machine frame, the latter having a screening installation.

The invention relates to an installation for cleaning a ballast bed, consisting of vertically adjustable crawler tracks, a clearing chain for picking up ballast, and a screening installation having a ballast discharge device.

According to DE 1 207 415, a machine for cleaning a trackless ballast bed is known which is equipped with on-track undercarriages as well as crawler tracks. Located underneath an endless bucket chain for picking up ballast is a screening installation for cleaning the picked-up ballast and discharging the same in front of the crawler track upon the bedding.

Known from DE 2 550 391 or AT 353 306 are two-way ballast cleaning machines, wherein a pick-up device as well as a screening installation are arranged between the undercarriages.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an installation of the type mentioned at the beginning which can be operated without problems even in tighter track curves and enables a better adaptation to different work conditions.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with an installation of the specified kind by means of the following features:

a) two crawler tracks and two on-track undercarriages are associated in each case with a first machine frame and a second machine frame coupled to the former;

b) a receiving unit of the clearing chain is arranged between the two crawler tracks of the first machine frame, and the ballast discharge device is arranged between the two crawler tracks of the second machine frame; c) the two on-track undercarriages are arranged in each case at a front or rear frame end.

In an installation configured in such a manner, the distances between the undercarriages are short in each case, so that the individual vehicles can be operated without problems also in tight track curves. Furthermore, in the case of a total excavation of an especially soiled ballast bed, the part of the installation comprising the screening installation can be detached simply and quickly.

Additional advantages of the invention become apparent from the drawing description.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment represented in the drawing in which

FIG. 1 shows a side view and FIG. 2 a top view of an installation for cleaning a ballast bed.

An installation 1, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, for cleaning a ballast bed 2 consists essentially of a first a machine frame 3 and a second machine frame 4 coupled to the former. Associated with these are two crawler tracks 5 and two on-track undercarriages 6 in each case. The latter are each connected to a front or rear frame end 7, 8. Each crawler track 5 is designed for vertical adjustment relative to the machine frame 3, 4 by means of a drive 9. At least one crawler track 5 and one on-track undercarriage 6 of each machine frame 3, 4 is equipped with a motive drive 10 which is supplied with energy by a motor 11 arranged on the machine frame 3, 4.

The first machine frame 3 has a clearing chain 12, the receiving unit 13 of which is arranged between the crawler tracks 5. The clearing chain 12 is designed to be set in rotation and to be vertically adjustable by means of drives 14, 15. Ballast 16 picked up by the clearing chain 12 is transported via conveyor belts 18 against a working direction 17 to a screening installation 19 arranged on the second machine frame 4. Associated with this screening installation 19 is a ballast discharge device 20 which is arranged between the crawler tracks 5 of the second machine frame 4.

By means of the ballast discharge device 20, the cleaned ballast 16 is reintroduced to form the ballast bed 2 and subsequently consolidated by means of a consolidation device 21 located on the second machine frame 4. Spoil accumulating during the cleaning process is transported via further conveyor belts 22 to a storage wagon 23. 

1. (canceled)
 2. An installation for cleaning a ballast bed, comprising: vertically adjustable crawler tracks; on-track undercarriages; a clearing chain for picking up ballast; a screening installation having a ballast discharge device; a first machine frame having a front frame end and a rear frame end; a second machine frame having a front frame end and a rear frame end, said second machine frame coupled to said first machine frame; two of said vertically adjustable crawler tracks and two of said on-track undercarriages associated in each case with said first machine frame and said second machine frame, one of said two on-track undercarriages disposed in each case at said front frame end and at said rear frame end of said first and second machine frames; said clearing chain having a receiving unit disposed between said two vertically adjustable crawler tracks of said first machine frame; and said ballast discharge device disposed between said two vertically adjustable crawler tracks of said second machine frame. 